ATLANTIC CITY — Two city police officers rescued a 10-year-old swimmer whose foot was caught in a wood groin after lifeguards had gone home.

Just after 8 p.m. Thursday, officers Darrell Catanio and Jonathan Walsh responded to reports of a swimmer screaming for help at the South Carolina Avenue beach, according to Atlantic City police.

A groin is a structure built in the ocean near the shore to prevent beach erosion. The Philadephia boy, who couldn't free his foot, was chest high in water and waves were continually crashing over his head, police said.

Catanio, a former member of the Atlantic City Beach Patrol, went into the water, freed the boy and carried him to the beach patrol tent where he was met by emergency medical personnel and treated for a lower leg injury.

Catanio, who also sustained an injury during the rescue, was transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center.

"Do not go into the water if the beach is not protected by a member of our beach patrol," police said in a statement. "This is not only for the safety of the swimmer, but for someone (who) may need to rescue them."